Chris Paul will enter NBA Draft

Winston-Salem, NC (Sports Network) – Wake Forest sophomore guard Chris Paul
will forgo his final two years of eligibility and enter the NBA Draft.

Paul was named a first-team All-American this past season after averaging 15.3
points, 6.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds for the Demon Deacons (27-6), who
established a school record for victories.

“This was the most difficult decision I have ever made,” said Paul during a
Thursday afternoon press conference. “I have mulled over this decision for
several weeks. I have talked at length with my family and the coaching staff.
In the end, I felt like I was ready for the challenge.”

The 6-foot Paul was also a finalist for the Naismith Trophy, but his sparkling
offensive season suffered a smudge when he delivered a punch to the groin of
North Carolina State’s Julius Hodge during a March 6 game.

Paul was suspended one game for the incident, serving his penalty during
Wake’s quarterfinal loss to NC State in the Atlantic Coast Conference
Tournament.

The second-seeded Demon Deacons were then upset by West Virginia in the second
round of the NCAA Tournament.

Paul is the first Wake Forest player to leave school early for the NBA since
Rodney Rogers departed after his junior season in 1993.

“I have always welcomed challenges,” added Paul. “Playing in the NBA against
some of the greatest athletes in the world is what I consider the ultimate
challenge.”